Why Prägraten am Großvenediger is East Tyrol’s Best-Kept Secret
Entering the village, Prägraten am Großvenediger in East Tirol, is one of the best experiences for anyone who can enjoy the cosyness of how Tirol originally was. This quaint village is away from overcrowded areas and ski resorts. In Prägraten am Großvenediger you don’t need to wait for the ski lifts, there is no loud music and screaming people. No, in Prägraten am Großvenediger you find the charm of Austria, reliable snow, a National Park with unspoiled nature, a beautiful scenery, and a small ski area for kids or beginners.Still interested? Let’s discover this area of Tirol in Austria.
Rediscovering the Winter: Why Prägraten am Großvenediger in East Tirol, is a Sanctuary of Snow and Silence
Prägraten lies on the shade foot side of the Großvenediger – the so-called “World’s OldMajesty” with peaks of over 3,657 meter, therefore the snow is always fresh and stays much longer than on the sunny side. Other surrounding mountains are: Rainer Horn (3,559 m), the Schwarze Wand (3,503 m), the Hoher Zaun (3,451 m), the Kristallwand (3,310 m), the Weißspitze (3,300 m) and there are many more.
The Venediger group of mountains in East Tirol host the largest contiguous glacier area in the “Hohe Taurn” which characterizes the landscape of Prägraten am Großvenediger.
If you like winter hiking, you need to come to Prägraten am Großvenediger in East Tirol. Nationalpark “Hohe Taurn” is the largest national park in Central Europe with one of the most beautiful landscapes with thousands of plant and animal species. The relaxed and silent atmosphere will give you an enormous energy boost. You will find impressive waterfalls and lakes and amazing unspoiled Austrian Alp views which is one of the most peaceful winter escape. Prägraten is perfect imn Winter, but the summers are amazing to hike.
Beyond the Piste: The village of Prägraten am Großvenediger
Prägraten am Großvenediger is a municipality of Austria in East Tirol in with only 1,134 inhabitants. Freedom here is limitless, with farms in the middle of the center and only 2 restaurants and the 3rd is just outside the village, which means that this is a wonderful holiday destination. Our personal experience at family restaurant Gasthouse Grossvenediger was amazing throughout. Friendly and helpful owners and amazing flavourful local food. The wooden interior and fireplace point out the charm of East Tirol.
Places to sleep are limited to traditional chalets and cozy guesthouses where warmth and tradition comes first. Here you don’t find big hotels. Think of Ferienhaus Enzian. The owners are a Dutch young couple with 2 beautiful daughters. All they want is that you leave Prägraten am Großvenediger at the end of your holiday with a feeling that you actually don’t want to leave or that you want to come back during the summer months. They will show the area to you, where to drive, to hike, to ski and where the tracks are for cross-country skiing (langlauf). Nothing is too much for them. You cannot have better hosts than Jeroen and Olga.
Skiing big mountains: Grossglockner from Matrei in East Tirol
Adrenaline junkies can take the ski lift from Matrei in Osttirol (East Tirol) up the Grossglockner, This is the highest mountain in Austria with a peak of 3,798 meter and is also the biggest ski region of East Tirol. This ski area is perfect for high-speed skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, family skiing, hiking and so on. There are ski schools and ski rental companies that will provide you with the best skies and shoes for the experience you have. You find restaurants on the ski piste where you can have a lunch with a fantastic view, and have a glass of local beer or wine.
Matrei in Osttirol is just 15 to 20 minutes away from Prägraten am Großvenediger by car, however, you can also take the ski bus, which will bring you for a few Euros.
Planning Your Unhurried Journey: Logistics and Travel Tips
Depending on where you come from, but according to us, the best way to travel to Prägraten am Großvenediger in East Tirol is by airplane to Vienna with some cheap flight tickets. Rent a car at the airport and drive to Prägraten. You will not regret this, as this 450km drive will take about 5 and a half hours. Our advice is to avoid the highway, and have a peaceful drive from Vienna to East Tirol through the small villages and mountains for an unforgettable experience From the Vienna airport you take the E59 highway for a short distance, followed by the S6. Book a hotel or guesthouse along the way for a one night stay.
If you like a quicker option, then take the airplane to Venice in Italy, and rent a car from there for a 4 hour drive. But be careful as you will drive cross-country, which means that the rental car insurance will be higher as expected.
If you rent a car, you are more free and can organize day trips to see more of the area. The scenery is just beautiful and it would be a pity if you miss this opportunity.
The Right Gear: Packing for Alpine Comfort and Quiet Exploration
When you pack your luggage for your winter holiday in Prägraten am Großvenediger, make sure you pack some warm clothes. The more thin layers of clothes you wear, the warmer you will feel. Do not pack one thick sweater, as you might feel cold. Pack reliable boots for walking and make sure that they are waterproof and wear 2 layers of socks or buy professional ski- or hiking socks, for a perfect fit. A snow or ski outfit is a must and to have safety equipment with you, is always a benefit. Think of spikes for your shoes, a bright colored safety vest, hiking sticks, flash light or an avalanche transceiver, and UV protective sunglasses.
Embracing the True Magic of Prägraten am Großvenediger, an Austrian Winter
Prägraten am Großvenediger offers a richer, quieter, and more authentic winter experience in Austria than larger ski resorts. Also the price is much more interesting than the big ski resorts like Soelden, Gerlos, Zell am Zimmer, Lech, Seefeld or Kirchberg and Kitzbuhel. It is ideal for beginners and families with its gentle slopes and dedicated children’s area with ski lift and ski track while also offering off-piste and ski touring opportunities for advanced skiers, and cross-country skiing will be the highlight of your vacation. Hiking and exploring nature is a must in this area of East Tirol. Book your trip here in peace and start with dreaming of the Hohe Tauern National Park.
